Stars we've lost in 2016

Some of our favourite beloved famous faces who have passed away in 2016.

This combination of pictures shows just some of the public figures who passed away in 2016

Trials also took place in the US, Europe and Australia. Matthew Bates, pictured above, a former journalist from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, saw a 50 per cent shrinkage in his advanced kidney tumour after just three months taking Nivolumab.

He has not suffered side effects from the drug. Previous treatments had failed.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of the disease in 2014.

He underwent surgery to remove the tumour but it later spread to his lung and adrenal gland.

He was initially treated with an experimental drug at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, but it failed.

He was then offered Nivolumab under a special early access to drugs scheme paid for by the drug manufacturers.

He said: “I was lucky to have this drug while others in my situation do not which is terrible.

“Up to this point no other drug has done anything like this, which is why it is so important others can get it.”

A Nice spokeswoman said: “There is substantial uncertainty about the extent of the long term survival benefit gained by treatment with Nivolumab. This combined with its high cost means we are unable to recommend it.”